Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This course is specifically designed to thoroughly explore the theoretical foundations of communication, with a particular emphasis on media effects. We will delve into how media theories interpret the historical and current roles played by mass media, digital media, and user-centric media. Moreover, we will closely examine how individuals actively engage with these multimedia platforms, emphasizing their interactive nature. In this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of these evolving concepts and their profound impact in today’s media landscape. Furthermore, this course will enhance your understanding of research methodology, particularly in the context of effects research. You will gain insights into the methodologies employed to study media effects, enabling you to comprehend and evaluate empirical studies.
能力項目說明
Upon successful completion of the assigned coursework, students can expect to cultivate the following skills:
1. Proficiency in fundamental theories related to media effects.
2. Capability to skillfully compare theories and assess their respective strengths, considering both their logical foundations and empirical evidence.
3. Enhanced comprehension of research methodology, particularly within the realm of effects research.
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Week |
Topics |
Readings |
Key Concepts |
|
1 (9/3) |
Introduction |
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2 (9/10) |
What is a theory? |
Littlejohn, S. W., & Foss, K. A. (2021). Theories of human communication. Waveland press. (Chap 2: The idea of theories)
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What is a theory and how to evaluate a theory? |
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3 (9/17) |
Agenda-setting & Priming |
|
Different levels of agenda-setting theory |
|
4 (9/24) |
Framing |
Scheufele, D. A. (1999). Framing as a theory of media effects. Journal of Communication, 49, 103-122.
|
Comparing framing with agenda-setting and priming |
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5 (10/1) |
Information processing/ Mental models |
Petty, R. E., & Briñol, P. (2011). The elaboration likelihood model. Handbook of theories of social psychology, 1, 224-245.
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Elaboration Likelihood Model |
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6 (10/8) |
Motivated reasoning |
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Exploring topic: Is correction an effective approach to reducing the impact of false information? |
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7(10/15) |
Deliberation/ Discussion |
Scheufele, D. A. (2000). Talk or conversation? Dimensions of interpersonal discussion and their implications for participatory democracy. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 77(4), 727-743.
|
Understanding the concepts of deliberation, discussion, and heterogeneous talk |
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8 (10/22) |
Communication mediation model |
Cho, J., Shah, D. V., McLeod, J. M., McLeod, D. M., Scholl, R. M., & Gotlieb, M. R. (2009). Campaigns, reflection, and deliberation: Advancing an OSROR model of communication effects. Communication theory, 19(1), 66-88.
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OSOR model and OSROR model as an extension of the communication mediation model |
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9 (10/29) |
Guest lecture + final paper idea presentation |
Prof. Hsuan-Ting Chen, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Current research
|
Online |
|
10 (11/5) |
Social capital |
Gil de Zúñiga, H. & Valenzuela, S. (2010.) Weak Ties, and Civic Engagement: The Mediating Path to a Stronger Citizenship: Online and Offline Networks. Communication Research, 20, p. 1-25.
|
Two types of social capital and links |
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11 (11/12) |
Cultivation |
Dudo, A., Brossard, D., Shanahan, J., Scheufele, D. A., Morgan, M., & Signorielli, N. (2011). Science on television in the 21st century: Recent trends in portrayals and their contributions to public attitudes toward science. Communication Research, 38(6), 754-777.
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Where is our impression of the social actors from? |
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12 (11/19) |
Self-efficacy |
Tabernero, C., & Hernández, B. (2011). Self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation guiding environmental behavior. Environment and Behavior, 43(5), 658-675.
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Social cognition theory |
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13 (11/26) |
Theories about emotions |
Witte, K. (1992). Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communications Monographs, 59(4), 329-349.
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EPPM, Affect heuristic |
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14 (12/3) |
Final poster presentation |
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15 (12/10) |
Final poster presentation |
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16 (12/17) |
Final paper due
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Due on Moodle by 5:00 pm |
The key capstone of this course will be a theoretical paper, which is comprehensive literature review. The theoretical paper focuses solely on the exploration of a research topic through an in-depth examination of existing literature, without involving any methodology. This is also a collaborative group activity. The length of the final paper is 3,000-3,500 words.